A compilation of the most common English words that start with H

Word 

Pronunciation

Example

Honeydew

/ˈhʌniˌdjuː/

I love eating honeydew in the summer because it’s so refreshing.

Huckleberry

/ˈhʌkəlˌbɛri/

Huckleberries are small, sweet berries that grow wild in the mountains.

Honeycrisp apple

/ˈhʌnikrɪsp ˈæpəl/

Honeycrisp apples are a type of apple that is juicy and sweet with a crisp texture.

Horned melon

/hɔrnd ˈmɛlən/

The horned melon, also known as kiwano, is a spiky fruit with a bright orange interior that tastes like a mix of banana, cucumber, and lime.

Honeyberry

/ˈhʌniˌbɛri/

Honeyberries are small, blue-colored berries that are often used in jams and desserts.

Hami melon

/ˈhɑmi ˈmɛlən/

The hami melon is a type of muskmelon with a juicy and sweet flesh that is popular in China.

Honey pear

/ˈhʌni pɛr/

Honey pears are a type of pear with a sweet and fragrant flavor that is similar to honey.

Halls melon

/hɔlz ˈmɛlən/

The halls melon, also known as canary melon, is a large, oblong fruit with a sweet and juicy flesh that is similar to honeydew.

Hairy fruit

/ˈhɛri frut/

Hairy fruit, also known as rambutan, is a tropical fruit with sweet and juicy flesh that is covered in spiky hairs.

Hamburger

/ˈhæmbɜrgər/

I ordered a hamburger with fries for lunch.

Hotdog

/ˈhɑtdɔg/

He likes to eat hotdogs with ketchup and mustard. 

Hash browns

/hæʃ braʊnz/

I always order hash browns with my breakfast eggs.

Honey glazed ham

/ˈhʌni gleɪzd hæm/

We had honey glazed ham for dinner last night.

Haddock

/ˈhædək/

The restaurant’s specialty is its haddock fish and chips. 

Word 

Pronunciation

Example

Habitat

/ˈhæbɪˌtæt/

A coral reef is a habitat for many different types of fish and marine life.

Hygiene 

/ˈhaɪˌdʒin/

Good hygiene practices can help prevent the spread of disease.

Haze

/heɪz/

The city was shrouded in a thick haze of pollution.

Humidity

/hjuˈmɪdəti/

The high humidity made the air feel heavy and oppressive.

Hydrology

/haɪˈdrɑlədʒi/

The study of hydrology focuses on the distribution and movement of water on Earth.

Habitat loss

/ˈhæbɪˌtæt lɔs/

Deforestation and urbanization have led to the loss of many animal habitats.

Harmful

/ˈhɑrmfəl/

Pesticides can be harmful to both the environment and human health.

Hazard

/ˈhæzərd/

Oil spills are a hazard to marine life and can cause long-term environmental damage.

Herbicide

/ˈɜrbɪˌsaɪd/ or /ˈhɜrbɪˌsaɪd/

Farmers use herbicides to kill weeds and other unwanted plants in their crops.

Heat island

/hit ˈaɪlənd/

Cities often experience the heat island effect, which is when urban areas are significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas.

Heavy metals

/ˈhɛvi ˈmɛtəlz/

Industrial pollution can release heavy metals into the environment, which can be toxic to both plants and animals.

Hybrid vehicle

/ˈhaɪbrɪd ˈviɪkəl/ or /ˈhaɪbrɪd ˈviˌhɪkəl/

Hybrid vehicles use both gasoline and electric power to operate, making them more environmentally friendly than traditional cars.

Human impact

/ˈhjumən ˈɪmpækt/

Human activities like deforestation and pollution have a significant impact on the environment.

Habitat fragmentation

/ˈhæbɪˌtæt ˌfræɡmɛnˈteɪʃən/

The construction of highways and urban development can fragment natural habitats, making it difficult for some species to survive.

Habitant

/ˈhæbɪtənt/

This farmland was established by the inhabitants of the St Lawrence Valley.

Word 

Pronunciation

Example

Hippopotamus

/ˌhɪpəˈpɑtəməs/

The hippopotamus wallowed in the muddy water of the river.

Hawk

/hɔk/

The hawk swooped down from the sky and caught its prey.

Hamster

/ˈhæmstər/

The hamster spent most of its day running on its exercise wheel.

Hare

/hɛr/

The hare darted through the grass, trying to escape from the fox.

Horse

/hɔrs/

The horse galloped across the meadow, its mane flying in the wind.

Hummingbird

/ˈhʌmɪŋˌbɜrd/

The hummingbird hovered in front of the flower, sipping nectar with its long beak.

Hedgehog

/ˈhɛdʒˌhɔɡ/

The hedgehog curled up into a ball to protect itself from predators.

Horseshoe Crab

/ˈhɔrsˌʃu kræb/

Horseshoe Crab is very dangerous, you shouldn’t eat it.

Humpback whale

/ˈhʌmpˌbæk weɪl/

The humpback whale breaches the surface of the water, exposing its back and tail to the sun.

Hermit crab

/ˈhɜrmɪt kræb/

The hermit crab scurried along the beach, searching for a new shell to call home.

Word 

Pronunciation

Example

Homework

/ˈhoʊmˌwɜrk/

I have to finish my homework before I can go out to play with my friends.

High school

/haɪ skul/

After middle school, students in the United States typically attend high school until they graduate at age 18.

History

/ˈhɪstəri/

I love learning about history because it helps me understand how the world has evolved over time.

Honors program

/ˈɑnərz ˈproʊˌɡræm/

Only the top students are accepted into the honors program at my university.

Humanities

/hjuˈmænətiz/

The humanities encompass a wide range of academic disciplines, including literature, philosophy, and history.

Homework assignment

/ˈhoʊmˌwɜrk əˈsaɪnmənt/

The teacher gave us a difficult homework assignment that will take a long time to complete.

Headmaster

/ˈhɛdˌmæstər/

The headmaster of the school is responsible for overseeing all aspects of its operation.

Higher education

/ˈhaɪər ˌɛdʒəˈkeɪʃən/

Many people believe that higher education is essential for success in today’s economy.

Homework club

/ˈhoʊmˌwɜrk klʌb/

The homework club meets every Tuesday and Thursday after school to help students with their assignments.

Homeschooling

/ˈhoʊmˌskulɪŋ/

Some parents choose to homeschool their children rather than send them to public or private schools.

Higher learning

/ˈhaɪər ˈlɜrnɪŋ/

Graduate school provides students with the opportunity for higher learning and advanced degrees.

Higher-order thinking

/ˈhaɪər-ˈɔrdər ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/

The teacher encouraged her students to engage in higher-order thinking by asking open-ended questions that required them to analyze and evaluate information.

Hybrid learning

/ˈhaɪbrɪd ˈlɜrnɪŋ/

Hybrid learning combines both online and in-person instruction to provide students with a flexible and personalized learning experience.

Higher education institution

/ˈhaɪər ˌɛdʒəˈkeɪʃən ˌɪnstɪˈtuʃən/

Harvard University is one of the most prestigious higher education institutions in the world.

Higher national diploma

/ˈhaɪər ˈnæʃənl dɪˈploʊmə/

The Higher National Diploma is a vocational qualification that prepares students for employment in a specific field.

Hellenistic period

/ˌhɛləˈnɪstɪk ˈpɪriəd/

The Hellenistic period (4th to 1st century BCE) was a historical period when Greek culture spread to other regions and strongly influenced other civilizations.

Histology

/hɪˈstɑlədʒi/

Histology is the study of tissues, including their structure and function. 

Hard science

/hɑrd ˈsaɪəns/

Hard science refers to the natural sciences that rely on empirical evidence, such as physics, chemistry, and biology.

Horticulture

/ˈhɔrtɪˌkʌltʃər/

Horticulture is the science and art of cultivating plants, including fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants.

Hydroscience

/ˈhaɪdroʊˌsaɪəns/

Hydroscience is the study of the properties, distribution, and effects of water on the Earth’s surface, including its relationship with the environment, geology, and biology.

Word 

Pronunciation

Example

Hat

/hæt/

She wore a wide-brimmed hat to protect herself from the sun. 

Hoodie

/ˈhʊdi/

He put on his favorite hoodie and went for a walk in the park.

Hanger

/ˈhæŋər/

Hang your clothes on the hanger to keep them wrinkle-free.

High heels

/haɪ hilz/

She always wears high heels to make herself look taller. 

Handbag

/ˈhændˌbæɡ/

She carried a small handbag containing her essentials. 

Henley

/ˈhɛnli/

He wore a blue Henley shirt to the party.

Hooded sweatshirt

/ˈhʊdɪd ˈswɛtˌʃɜrt/

She put on a hooded sweatshirt to stay warm on the chilly day. 

Halter top

/ˈhɔltər tɑp/

She looked stunning in her red halter top.

Hemline

/ˈhɛmˌlaɪn/

She adjusted the hemline of her dress to make it the right length.

Houndstooth

/ˈhaʊndzˌtuθ/

He wore a suit with a houndstooth pattern to the job interview. 

Harrington jacket 

/ˈhærɪŋtən ˈdʒækɪt/

The Harrington jacket was popularized by Elvis Presley in the 1950s. 

Hipster

/ˈhɪpstər/

She wore a pair of hipster glasses and a vintage dress. 

Hawaiian shirt

/həˈwaɪən ʃɜrt/

He wore a bright Hawaiian shirt to the beach party. 

High-waisted pants

/haɪ ˈweɪstɪd pænts/

High-waisted pants were popular in the 1940s and 1950s. 

Word

Pronunciation

Example

Half-Pipe Skiing

/hæf-paɪp ˈskiɪŋ/

An Olympic athlete must possess exceptional skills and techniques to perform flawlessly in Half-Pipe skiing. 

Hammer throw

/ˈhæmər θroʊ/

The Russian athlete set a new world record in the hammer throw event at the international athletics championship. 

Handball

/ˈhændˌbɔl/

The German team dominated the handball match against Spain, winning by a score of 30-25.

Hang Gliding

/ˈhæŋ ˌɡlaɪdɪŋ/

The hang glider soared over the beautiful landscape, providing a breathtaking view of the mountains and valleys below.

Hardball Squash

/ˈhɑrdˌbɔl skwɑʃ/

The British champion defeated his opponent in the Hardball Squash final, winning the coveted title for the third consecutive year. 

Hare Coursing

/hɛr ˈkɔrsɪŋ/

Hare coursing, a popular sport in Ireland, involves greyhounds chasing hares in an open field. 

Harness Racing

/ˈhɑrnɪs ˈreɪsɪŋ/

The driver skillfully guided his horse to victory in the harness racing competition, leaving the other competitors in the dust.

Headis

/ˈhɛdɪs/

Headis, a combination of football and table tennis, requires players to use their heads to hit the ball over the net. 

Heptathlon

/hɛpˈtæθlən/

The heptathlon is a grueling two-day event that requires athletes to compete in seven different track and field events.

High Diving

/haɪ ˈdaɪvɪŋ/

The high diving competition at the Olympics is always a crowd favorite, with athletes performing death-defying leaps from dizzying heights.

High Jump

/haɪ dʒʌmp/

The world record for the high jump is currently held by Javier Sotomayor, who cleared a height of 2.45 meters in 1993. 

Hill climbing

/hɪl ˈklaɪmɪŋ/

Hillclimbing is a motorsport that involves racing cars or motorcycles up steep hills, often on unpaved roads.

Horse Pulling

/hɔrs ˈpʊlɪŋ/

In horse pulling competitions, teams of horses are harnessed to a sled and must pull it as far as possible within a specified time limit. 

Horse Soccer

/hɔrs ˈsɑkər/

Horse soccer is a sport that is played on horseback, with two teams of riders trying to score goals using a large ball. 

Hurling

/ˈhɜrlɪŋ/

Hurling is a traditional Irish sport that involves using a stick called a hurley to hit a small ball called a sliotar between goals. 

Word

Pronunciation

Example

Homicide

/ˈhɑmɪˌsaɪd/

The suspect was charged with homicide after the victim’s body was found in the woods. 

Hate crimes

/heɪt kraɪmz/

The rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans is deeply troubling. 

Human trafficking

/ˈhjumən ˈtræfɪkɪŋ/

The police rescued several victims of human trafficking from a brothel in the city. 

Highjack

/ˈhaɪˌdʒæk/ 

The airline industry has implemented strict security measures to prevent hijackings. 

Homeless

/ˈhoʊmlɪs/

The number of homeless people in the city has increased in recent years.

High treason

/haɪ ˈtrizən/

The king accused his advisor of high treason for plotting against him.

Hijack

/ˈhaɪˌdʒæk/

The terrorists threatened to hijack the plane if their demands were not met.

Heinous crime

/ˈheɪnəs kraɪm/

The brutal murder of the young girl was described as a heinous crime by the prosecutor.

Human

/ˈhjumən/

As a society, it is our responsibility to protect the basic human rights of all individuals.

Harm

/hɑrm/

The new regulations were put in place to prevent harm to the environment.

Homicide detectives

/ˈhɑmɪˌsaɪd dɪˈtɛktɪvz/

The homicide detectives were able to solve the case within a few days of beginning their investigation.

Horror

/ˈhɔrər/

The horror movie was so scary that I had trouble sleeping that night.

Heist

/haɪst/

The bank was robbed in a daring heist that involved a group of armed men.

Harassment

/həˈræsmənt/ or /ˈhærəsmənt/

The company has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment in the workplace.

Heinous acts

/ˈheɪnəs ækts/

The dictator was responsible for a number of heinous acts against his own people.

Vocabulary

Pronunciation

Example

House

/haʊs/

My parents bought a new house in the suburbs last year.

Hair

/hɛr/

She has long, curly hair that she loves to style.

Hatred

/ˈheɪtrɪd/

The two countries have a long history of hatred towards each other.

Heart

/hɑrt/

My heart skipped a beat when I saw him for the first time. 

Hunger

/ˈhʌŋɡər/

The children were crying from hunger because they had not eaten all day.

Happiness 

/ˈhæpɪnɪs/

Finding true happiness is the ultimate goal for many people. 

Honesty 

/ˈɑnəsti/

Honesty is always the best policy in any situation. 

Hope 

/hoʊp/

Despite the difficult circumstances, she still had hope for a better future. 

Hometown 

/ˈhoʊmtaʊn/

I love going back to my hometown to visit my family and friends.

Hospitality 

/ˌhɑspɪˈtælɪti/

The hospitality of the locals made my stay in the small town very enjoyable.

Hardware

/ˈhɑrdˌwɛr/

The company’s primary product is networking hardware. 

Harmony 

/ˈhɑrməni/

The choir sang in perfect harmony, creating a beautiful melody. 

Health 

/hɛlθ/

Regular exercise and a balanced diet are essential for maintaining good health.

Handwriting 

/ˈhændˌraɪtɪŋ/

Her handwriting was so neat and precise that it looked like it was printed.

Vocabulary

Pronunciation

Example

Happy

/ˈhæpi/

She was so happy that she couldn’t stop smiling.

Hot

/hɑt/

The sun was shining so brightly that the sand was hot to the touch. 

Hungry

/ˈhʌŋɡri/

I’m so hungry that I could eat a horse.

Heavy

/ˈhɛvi/

The box was too heavy for her to lift by herself. 

Handsome

/ˈhænsəm/

He is a handsome man with chiseled features.

High

/haɪ/

The airplane flew at a high altitude above the clouds.

Humorous

/ˈhjuːmərəs/

He has a great sense of humor and always makes me laugh. 

Helpful

/ˈhɛlpfəl/

She was very helpful in organizing the charity event. 

Healthy

/ˈhɛlθi/

Eating a balanced diet and getting enough exercise are key to maintaining good health.

Hard

/hɑrd/

Learning a new language can be hard, but it’s worth the effort. 

Handy

/ˈhændi/

We found it handy to have a cellular phone.

Hopeful

/ˈhoʊpfəl/

Despite the challenges, she remained hopeful about her future.

Homeless

/ˈhoʊmlɪs/

Accommodation needs to be found for thousands of homeless families.

Horrible

/ˈhɔrəbəl/

The movie was so horrible that I couldn’t even finish watching it. 

Hilarious

/hɪˈlɛriəs/

The comedian’s jokes were so hilarious that the audience couldn’t stop laughing. 

Vocabulary

Pronunciation

Example

Halt

/hɔlt/

She walked towards him and then halted.

Hesitate

/ˈhɛzɪˌteɪt/

She hesitated for a moment before jumping into the pool. 

Hoist

/hɔɪst/

The workers used a crane to hoist the heavy machinery onto the roof. 

Hone

/hoʊn/

He spent hours honing his guitar skills.

Huddle

/ˈhʌdəl/

The team huddled together to come up with a game plan. 

Harass

/həˈræs/

The student was being harassed by a group of bullies.

Hinder

/ˈhɪndər/

The rain hindered our progress on the construction project. 

Humiliate

/hjuˈmɪliˌeɪt/

I didn’t want to humiliate her in front of her colleagues.

Hibernate

/ˈhaɪbərˌneɪt/

Bears hibernate during the winter months. 

Handle

/ˈhændəl/

She couldn’t handle the stress of her job anymore.

Hammer

/ˈhæmər/

He hammered the nail into the wall to hang the picture. 

Hunker

/ˈhʌŋkər/

The old man hunkered down on the porch to watch the sunset. 

Harangue

/həˈræŋ/

He walked to the front of the stage and began to harangue the audience.

Hail

/heɪl/

The expedition was widely hailed as a success. 

Vocabulary

Pronunciation

Example

Hardly

/ˈhɑrdli/

She could hardly keep her eyes open.

Here

/hɪr/

Come here and sit down next to me.

Hence

/hɛns/

The weather is bad; hence, we will stay indoors.

However

/haʊˈɛvər/

I would like to help you; however, I am very busy today.

Henceforth

/ˈhɛnsˌfɔrθ/

Henceforth, I will always check my email before going to bed.

Henceforward

/ˈhɛnsˌfɔrwərd/

Henceforward, all employees must wear a company uniform.

Heroically

/hɪˈroʊɪkli/

The firefighters heroically saved the family from the burning building.

Headily

/ˈhɛdəli/

After winning the lottery, she headily went on a spending spree.

Heart-breakingly

/ˈhɑrtˌbreɪkɪŋli/

The heart-breakingly sad movie left the audience in tears.

Heinously

/ˈheɪnəsli/

The serial killer was convicted of heinously murdering several innocent people.

Hesitantly

/ˈhɛzɪtəntli/

She hesitantly agreed to go on a blind date with her friend’s cousin.

Historically

/hɪˈstɔrɪkli/

The Apollo 11 mission was historically significant as the first successful moon landing.

Honourably

/ˈɑnərəbli/

He was honorably discharged from the military after years of service.

Hostilely

/ˈhɑstəli/

The two nations stared at each other hostilely across the border.

Harshly

/ˈhɑrʃli/

The coach spoke harshly to the players after their poor performance in the game.

Heatedly

/ˈhitədli/

The politicians debated the issue heatedly for hours.

Hideously

/ˈhɪdiəsli/

The monster in the movie was portrayed as a hideously deformed creature.

Horridly

/ˈhɔrɪdli/

She woke up from a horridly vivid nightmare in the middle of the night.

Humanely

/ˈhjumənli/

The veterinarian euthanized the injured animal humanely.

Hungrily

/ˈhʌŋɡrɪli/

The children looked hungrily at the candy in the store window.

humanities; high school; honors program; homework; history

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Exercise 1

Exercise 2

1. Homework
2. High school
3. History
4. Honors program
5. Humanities

1. Hedgehog
2. Hawk
3. Hamster
4. Hare
5. Horse
6. Hummingbird